Keep Going...

Well, I think this quote says it all!  It has been definitely a struggle over the past few months.  I'm not really sure what I should do for a job (I've been looking but I am being very careful about what I apply on because the last positions, well they really were the right fit for me).  If something turns up, that would be excellent but I'm going to wait until the RIGHT position comes along!

I am still volunteering with the Edmonton Humane Society is great, but it's 20 - 30 minutes away, so I don't want to go there everyday (and The Joe is here at home and he's not getting younger so I want to spend time with him).  I have noticed or I am more careful about different things that I can't do for them, like work the adoption desk 😉, because I would come home with a few (like 10 or more) dogs with me!  Oh, and here is my "plug" - if you are thinking about getting a dog or cat, I would HIGHLY recommend going to a shelter to find one (a dog or a cat or both 😉) - there are so many pets out there that are searching for their furever home!

I did get some information about working as a volunteer with the Stroke Mentor-ship program but I don't believe I'm going to work with that particular program (right now) - simply because of my up and down moods about my recovery.  So, I'm going to think about this position some more before I decide about it.  I did apply for a volunteer position with the Grey Nun's.  Now I have to wait while they check my references and while I receive my immunization records (who knew because of my age, they would be on microfish 😲).  There are a lot of options but the two I am interested in are Child Health Clinic or with the Dialysis Unit (I am thinking it will be the child's health clinic because that is where my heart lies 💗)!  So that is something new for me to think about - once I am approved (hopefully), I'll let you know how it's going!

My parent's have moved back to Edmonton (my dad is 88 year's young and my mom is 85 year's young).  They are getting older and I believe it was better for them to live here where all their kids, grandchildren (well except for Kennedy) and great-grand children are.  They are living in a retirement home that is close to where I am, so I can just pop over anytime to visit with them.

I have to say, it is much easier in the spring and summer, to battle the depression because it's warmer and most days, it is sunny and there is more for me to do.  When it rains, ugh, I have to really fight with myself so that I don't think negatively about what is going on!  I'm staying positive for the most part, so hopefully, the majority of the depression is gone.  There are something's that some people may do or say, that I don't agree with them but I have to remember everyone has different opinions, and whether I agree with them or not, they have the right to have them.  The other thing, is since I've had the stroke, I can't articulate how I am feeling or what I am thinking, so quite often I don't disagree with them.  I'd like everyone to know, sometimes it's better to NOT say something 😏, as hard as that may be to do!   I must say though, it definitely does help with the blog and the feedback I have received is really incredible - so thank you to all of you who read this every time I have something to say - whether it's positive or negative!

Another New Year!

Well, it's a New Year and I'm still recovering from my stroke.  I haven't written anything for the last two months.  There are a number of reasons, some involve other people and some were just me feeling down about plateauing in my recovery.  But again, this is a journey and I can't expect to be 100% with my moods all the time.  This may be a lengthy post, but there is really a lot to say.

I'm still not working.  That is quite depressing for me because a lot of myself was because of my work.  I loved being a Property Manager, and the fact is (at least right now), I can't go back into the field that I love so much. So I have to look for something that is rewarding for me AND something that doesn't cause me too much stress.  Sounds easy, right?  WRONG!!!  I have drafted (and redrafted and redrafted, again) my resume.  The problem is that I can't work very well with the public after about 2:00 or 3:00 pm, because I get tired and then I have a lot of trouble finding words.  That is a HUGE problem for me, because I enjoy working with the public.  Most people don't, but I do!  The funny thing is though, when I am at home, vacationing and things like that, I like my solitude 😊.  I like spending time by myself or with my immediate family.  I have a few friends, but there aren't a lot of people that I hand around with.  Now some people may say, "That's since you've had the stroke".  But it's not, I like doing things with a small group of people even before I had the stroke.

I really have to make an effort to keep in contact with people now, because it can be hard to find words and I really feel I don't have a lot to contribute because I am at home and most of my friends were from the office.  But I have to try, so this year, I am going to make the effort to speak to my friends on the phone and I will make the effort to go out to lunch/supper or even just a coffee to keep up with them.  Also, it can be hard because I was the one who supported people when they were feeling low and needed help with something.  It is hard when the shoe is on the other foot.  So I have to talk the them and explain when I am feeling down or discouraged, so that they can help.

I have finished all the courses that the Glenrose has to offer, so just before Christmas, I went to the Brain Care Centre.  Now most people won't think that's too big of a deal, but can I just say, it was a big deal to me.  It is a big deal because, and I have said it before, the stroke caused me to have a brain injury...it won't get better...and that's what I have to deal with now.  It has taken me a long time to actually admit it to myself.  The Brain Care Centre has a lot of options, so now I've had the initial interview and they will contact me this month to come in and get started (hopefully) on finding something in the "job world", that I can do.  I am really looking forward to meeting some more with them.  There are also other resources:

Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (www.ccrw.org)
EmployAbilities (www.employabilities.ab.ca)
BGS Career and Corporate Development (Facebook BGSCareerandCorporateDevelopment)

Thank goodness for all of these because at least I know I have other places I can go to find something that I can do to get back into the work place.

So some of my "goals" for this New Year are to:

1.  Continue doing my "home work" at home to improve my skills (interpersonal and professional skills),

2.  I will continue (I have to get back into this once is warms up a little) to make the effort to speak to people, over the phone or in person, because it really isn't very good to keep to yourself too much,

3.  I will continue to look for a job, but I won't settle for just anything.  I want to work with the public in whatever way I can,

4.  And I will try (very hard 😏) to continue writing in my blog, even when I am feeling down or discouraged, because it is important that I continue in this journey and sharing it with anyone who wants to read it 👍!!!!

Well that's all for now, take care and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

It has been a little while since I have blogged but there have been a few things going on and I believe I have to write about them.

I went for the psychology evaluation and I got the results back 😕.  I can't go back to work full time because I still have delays processing things and they want me to continue working with Megan for the aphasia.  BUT I can going back to work on a part-time basis, so that is really good.

Now I have been going to job interviews and I was offered one job, but I turned it down mostly because it was the first interview I went on and I hadn't checked out any others.  I have another job interview this afternoon, and I'm going to see what it's like.  I believe I am capable of working full time and I am going to see if that is true (so wish me luck)!

I have finished my High Level Aphasia so now I just have my one-on-one therapy sessions with Megan on Thursday.  I believe I will continue with them even if I have a job (well I'm going to negotiate that when I get a job offer 👍).  I am working really hard at the homework every day, the only way I am going to get better is to keep on working at things...and one of the things is this blog.

I can't believe it is August already, time sure flies.  We have a wedding in London, England and I would like to go to Brooks one more time before the summer is over (don't know when) and then it is September.  If I don't get the job today, I'm still going to search for something that I can do in property management.  I believe that is the best route that I should take mostly because I am familiar with it and there are lots of contacts I have to make sure I am successful.